I’ve added a few photos from the press conference that Julia Van Orman, Karl Nielson (Greece school teacher) and parent, Chris Savino held today.

They are “outraged at Ray DiRaddo’s Fair Plan”.Julie Van Orman talked about the fact that Greece will lose 2.2 million in revenue this year and could lose 4.6 million for the 2008-2009 school year.

We did talk a bit about the fact that some things could be changed at the state level to save money in the budget. For instance, if a teacher doesn’t need to purchase new books, they should be able to opt out of it. As it stands now, they are required to purchase them. Things like that are areas that can be looked into.

Today at 3:30pm at the Greece Teachers Association Office, Greece School Board members, Greece teachers, and parents will be organizing to speak out against the County Legislature’s F.A.I.R plan. The meet-up will be at 3670 Mt. Read Blvd..

The Democrats contend that the plan will cut school aid nearly $30 million, and that Greece will lose an estimated $4,367,320, with a 2.2 million shortfall in next year’s school budget.

The Republicans contend that Spitzer has promised more school aid over the next three years.

I get really excited on this day! Halloween, that is! The whole trick or treating, cool air and change of seasons is comforting. It reminds us to slow down a little. Get a good book and a bowl of soup, watch some football and look forward to Thanksgiving. It’s a cozy time I guess.

I’ve decorated for Halloween a little. I don’t really go out of my way but do put some decorations out. I have been tempted to buy some of those big blow-up ghosts but worry about them being stolen or broken.

I’ve heard that this happens quite often. Teenagers go around vandalizing others’ decorations. It’s too bad for the little ones who look forward to seeing these ghosts and goblins when they go out trick or treating. Has this happened to you or your neighbors?

Diane wrote me and suggested writing about some new businesses that have opened in Greece.

With all the talk about Wal-Mart and what it will do to the small businesses, I agree that it’s something to highlight.

Here it is, per Diane:

“Ollie’s opened last Wed. in the former Marshall’s…it’s like a Big Lots. And a new Candy Store opened up right across the street from Northgate…in that once vacant house.

Also, in the little plaza across from Northgate there looks to be a pizza place opening soon…could it be a Little Caesars..or their new name of Pizza, Pizza!See? Dewey is being developed with some “newness”…they just need the foot traffic.

I’m glad she brought this up. I knew Ollie’s had opened but had no idea about the Candy store. Wish I would have known earlier, I just bought all of my Halloween Candy. 500 pieces and we’ll give it all out!

He received a 10 year prison term. Yes, it was illegal and video taped, but this is where judicial discretion should come into play.

Unfortunately, when judges are too lenient on criminals, people start demanding harsher sentences. The pendulum will often swing too far in one direction or the other.

The law that he was convicted of has changed to make it a misdemeanor.

Wilson did offer some advice to teens, “They should be very hesitant before they join certain crowds and make certain decisions.”

Genarlow Wilson probably had a promising football career ahead of him…a very good future. He was on the honor roll and homecoming king. That should have been taken into consideration at the time of sentencing. However, I’m not sure if it could have been, given the mandatory minimum sentence laws.

Thankfully through donations he will be able to attend college and still have a good life.

If there’s something you’d like to share with Greece, please e-mail me at

The first version is the “enhanced driver’s license. The second version is akin to the “Real ID Act”. The third version will be available for undocumented immigrants. If you think this is getting confusing…it is!

Supposedly the “Real ID” is as secure as a passport. However, in the same section of the paper I just read about Michael Kesselman who obtained a fake ID in an hour for $25 in NY City!

Here’s a few quotes I found:“Under this policy change, applicants will not be required to provide documents that demonstrate their immigration status in this country so there will be no evidence that a person is indeed an undocumented immigrant,” said Spitzer spokeswoman Jennifer Givner. “

Spitzer has also said something to the affect that reporting a person is akin to racial profiling.

“Dinolfo, who has said that Monroe will continue to require Social Security ID has not changed her position.“I would advise that the state step back and rescind its plan,” she said. “Quite frankly, for people who are here legally, they are going to have to jump through extra hoops (under the new plan). We will not be processing licenses for illegal aliens in Monroe County. This new plan doesn’t change anything.”

Dinolfo has also said she would report illegals to ICE.

“The move also comes as the Erie County Clerk Kathleen Hochul, herself a Spitzer appointee who is serving in a Democratic stronghold, had said she’d carry out the governor’s edict but would also work to have illegals arrested and deported – one of the strongest repudiations yet of the governor’s policy.”

“It’s an attack on undocumented immigrants. It’s not the job of county clerks to enforce the immigration laws. It’s a federal problem,” said Norman Eng, an immigration attorney with the New York Immigration Coalition, an umbrella group of 200 organizations.”

This is a very contentious issue. If I’m not mistaken, there was no debate on this either. (Ahem, the FAIR plan). Does anyone agree with this policy? Do you think it’s the job of the county clerks to enforce the immigration laws? And guess who is going to pay for it all?If there’s something you’d like to share with Greece, please e-mail me at petrenahayes@aol.com.

Please forgive me if this is a bit long but I’d like to get in as much as possible without making your eyes glaze over.

Dick Beebe spoke about the fact that he’s been endorsed by the Working Families Party and several unions. He’s been a firefighter for 30 years as well as the Fire Chief and President of the Fire Dept in the Village of Homer. He was the first Democrat elected mayor in the Village of Homer. He noted that he knows how to work in a bipartisan manner.

Ray DiRaddospoke about bringing needed repairs to the Dewey Avenue area, was able to secure money for the Barnard Library, enhanced community awareness with regards to registered sexual predators and is involved with the “Not Me, Not Now” campaign. He talked about how he helped in cutting $400,000 in 2007 discretionary spending and supports the FAIR plan. He has been a Town Justice, General Council for many fire depts., Councilman for 8 years, past president of the Greece Chamber of Commerce.

Charles Schiano Jr was appointed Town Judge in 2002. He’s involved with civil and criminal trials and is certified to handle death penalty cases. One of his concerns is seeing so many youths in court.

Michael Barry spoke about the need to do more with less in Greece. He mentioned the importance of taking care of our roads, maintenance and keeping our streets plowed. He talked about the fact that Greece was named one of the top ten towns to live and is looking forward to making our town even better.

Bob Bilskyspoke about doing things with minimal costs. He said he scrutinizes spending in the town. He says he’s seen progress with consolidation. He was on the Board of Zoning Appeals for 7 years and was a member of the Town Board.

Jerry Helfersaid that protecting the taxpayers was his top priority. He mentioned the fact that Greece has been able to purchase land which didn’t cost the taxpayers anything and in essence they didn’t have to pay for expensive leases. He was on the Greece Planning and Zoning Appeals Board. Maintaining the quality of life in Greece is one of his main concerns.

Maureen Dauphineewondered why the town says they can’t control businesses but can change zoning laws for adult businesses. She said that our taxes haven’t increased but they’ve re-assessed our property. She spoke of seniors and that for them, every penny counts.

Rick Antellispoke about how well the “team” in Greece works together. He helped get our new library and works to keep small businesses here. He is in the Greece Rotary and the Planning and Environmental Board.

Q and Q session:

1. One questioner was concerned that Wal-Mart will put other business out of business. He also asked how some can justify being involved in Greece and the County Government. Did anyone who holds dual offices ever have to recuse themselves.

Mike Barry answered by saying that he can’t speak about Wal-Mart because there is on-going litigation. He said that the quality of life here is what keeps businesses here. He has never had to recuse himself and doesn’t see dual offices as a conflict.

2. Someone asked why the district is suing the County and Maggie Brook’s loony idea.

Ray DiRaddo answered by saying that Gov Spitzer promised increases to the schools over the next three years in state aid. “They’re suing because they have to cut things they ordinarily don’t. School districts like to spend, spend, spend. To this the questioner said: “I’m glad you believe everything Spitzer says because I (expletive) don’t!”

Dick Beebe answered this as well. He said there should have been a public forum. It was passed by a majority rule. Only one representative got up to speak and that they waited until the 11th hour. He said adding a registration fee isn’t going to work and it’s only a quick fix.

Maureen Dauphinee said that Spitzer earmarked the money for schools, not for them to steal it. She asked, “What sacrifice is Monroe County making?” None. The math is wrong.

3. Someone asked Ray DiRaddo about his residence and why he has two, an apartment in the 6th Ward and a house that isn’t. They also had a map from the Rochester Turning website. (I’m aware of what they’ve been saying about this is their website as someone left a link on the Greece blog. I’ve also told them that there could be a reasonable reason why he has the apt.).

Ray DiRaddo answered that his house was deeded over to his wife in March 2007, in terms of their separation. He has been living at Northgate since April 1, 2005. He was quite upset and continued by saying “The fact that you gave credence to that site is insulting, it’s a rag of a website, the worst website I’ve ever seen, they think things up”.

I spoke with him earlier and he said that anyone could have looked up the Deed to his house on the Monroe County website.

Dick Beebe also spoke about this and said that people try to sway the voters and that he would never promote anything in a negative way.

I have to say, it was an interesting event and everyone stuck around to answer any other questions. I thank the Northgate Neighbors for putting this on for all of the Greece residents. We should do more of these.

A few more questions were asked but I’m trying not to make this too long. I’ll bring them up in the comments section.

The D&C endorsed Ray DiRaddotoday. I’m wondering what you think about that?

Dick Beebe (D) is running against him for the 6th District. Mr. Beebe and I had corresponded in hopes of getting a “Q and A” with him but he hasn’t written back to confirm. I’m assuming at this point that he won’t.

Some say it’s a conflict having Mr. DiRaddo serve as a legislator and Greece Town Attorney. Do you think it is?

There’s a school board meeting Tuesday night at 6:30 at Apollo on Maiden Lane.

Board member Frank Oberg is going to bring up the topic of Open Enrollment and that it could save the district approximately $2 million dollars.

I’ve been to other board meetings where this issue was brought up and parents who spoke up were almost always against it. They made some good points about the amount of buses going down their street every day. One womans’ daughter gets bused even though there is an elementary school right down the street from their house.

There’s also the argument that neighborhood children don’t really get a chance to get to know each other.

Caurie Putnam covers Greece and the rest of the west-side as the "West Extra" columnist for Our Towns. She is a proud west-side resident of two little boys who is in Greece often for yoga at Breathe, skate sharpening at Locker Room Sports, hockey games at Lakeshore, and much more. To share upcoming Greece events and items of interest with Caurie please email her at caurie@urgrad.rochester.edu or contact her on Twitter @CauriePutnam